Rooney issues rallying cry to United faithful

Wayne Rooney has called on Manchester United's fans to remain behind the team as they look to end a three-game losing streak against Swansea on Saturday.

The Premier League champions lost to Tottenham Hotspur on New Year's Day and that result was followed by an FA Cup exit at Swansea before more cup misery came in the shape of a 2-1 reverse in the first leg of their League Cup semifinal with Sunderland.

United now lie 11 points behind Premier League leaders Arsenal heading into this weekend's fixtures, with their hopes of finishing in the top four and so qualifying for next season's Champions League under severe threat.

United's supporters have also watched their team lose four times already in the Premier League at Old Trafford this season, the defeats adding to the pressure manager David Moyes already faced in succeeding the retired Alex Ferguson.

But Rooney, battling to be fit to face Swansea after missing the last two games with an abductor problem, urged fans to remain loyal to both the team and Moyes.

"The fans' support is very important. The fans have been great here, especially now when we are not in the best of form and we have lost the last few games," he said.

"We need them to support us through this time," the England striker added.

"We will get stronger and we will get better. The fans are vital in being patient with us and letting us try to get there. I am sure we will."

It is not clear if Robin van Persie will be fit to return to action against the Swans.

The Dutch forward has been out for a month with a thigh strain and media reports in Britain suggested he has returned to training but Moyes is expected to provide an update on his fitness on Friday.

Jonny Evans was taken off in the midweek defeat by Sunderland with a back problem and it is not clear if he will be able to feature while Rio Ferdinand, Nani and Marouane Fellaini are all sidelined.

Swansea will be without wingers Pablo Hernandez and Roland Lamah who have hamstring and abductor problems respectively, while goalkeeper Michael Vorm is not ready to return yet from a knee operation.

And after sending United out of the FA Cup last weekend with their first-ever win at Old Trafford, Swansea boss Michael Laudrup said there was no reason they couldn't do it again.

"In many recent games we played with a lot of confidence but just needed the win and sometimes that win comes when you least expect it," he explained.

"Maybe others didn't expect us to win at Old Trafford but we believed and we maybe had a bit of luck scoring in the last minute," the Denmark football great added.

"Our aim is to do it again and we know it's possible because we have confidence, but on the other hand we know it is more difficult than last time because of the circumstances and with United losing at Sunderland.

"We will expect them to come out and want to go at us and want to win because they have to win this game.

"So we have to be ready for a very tough game because I don't think the United players will like what they hear about the negative record at the moment.

Chelsea eye top spot

Jose Mourinho's Chelsea will attempt to increase the pressure on their Premier League title rivals by moving to the head of the table with victory at Hull City on Saturday.

Three points at the KC Stadium will take the Blues ahead of second-placed Manchester City who travel to Newcastle 24 hours later, while current leaders Arsenal visit struggling Aston Villa on Monday.

So Chelsea's time, if any, at the summit may be brief but victory on Humberside would maintain a pleasing run.

Last weekend's FA Cup win at Derby County marked a fourth successive success for a side who've conceded just one goal in their last five outings.

And while Mourinho continues to have concerns about the lack of goals from his forwards, the contribution from midfield has masked the deficiencies up front.

The Portuguese manager has claimed the club will not bring in a new striker during the January transfer window to supplement his current trio of Samuel Eto'o, Fernando Torres and Demba Ba.

But with Ba's Chelsea future looking increasingly uncertain – his last appearance came in the League Cup quarterfinal defeat by Sunderland –the Senegal forward's departure would almost certainly trigger a move for a replacement.

Atletico Madrid's Diego Costa is one of the high-profile names linked to have been linked with a move to Chelsea.

Meanwhile, Costa's current teammate Thibaut Courtois has again questioned his Chelsea future.

The young goalkeeper is midway his third season-long loan at the Spanish club where his performances have drawn widespread praise, prompting Mourinho to describe the Belgian as the best young keeper in the world.

But Mourinho has also spoken of his current No 1 Petr Cech as the best in the business. And that has prompted growing frustration on the part of Courtois, who has made it clear he now wants his long term future resolved.

"About my future, I cannot wait much longer.I need to make a decision with Chelsea as soon as possible, in March, but at the moment I do not really want to talk because there are so many games and you must be focused," he said.

Mourinho began his second spell as Chelsea manager with an opening-day 2-0 victory over Steve Bruce's Hull side at Stamford Bridge.

But City defender Curtis Davies said the Tigers feared no one at the KC Stadium.

Hull have the sixth-best home record in the Premier League, winning half of their 10 games, including a 3-1 victory over Liverpool in December.

"We're confident we can beat anyone at the KC," said Davies. "We know we have to be right on our game and, maybe a side like Chelsea have to be slightly off it.

"We're not going to kid ourselves that if both of us are at 100 percent, that we're going to outplay Chelsea and win.

"If we're at our game and we do the right things in terms of frustrating them, then maybe we can nick a goal and keep a clean sheet to win the game."

Davies added Hull's defeat at Stamford Bridge taught them a valuable lesson about the demands of the Premier League.

The promoted Tigers were 2-0 down after 25 minutes but rallied in the second half to limit the damage.

"It was a lot of the players' first game in the Premier League, it was on TV and with Mourinho going back, there was a lot of hype away from the football side of the game," Davies explained.

"The fact that we managed to come through that 2-0 and make a fist of it in the second half, we grew in confidence.

"We knew it wasn't going to come much harder than that, so it was a blessing in disguise."

Chelsea's Branislav Ivanovic and Frank Lampard are again sidelined while Hull's Paul McShane is expected to be out for a month with an ankle injury.

Nemyar fit for Atletico showdown

Barcelona forward Neymar looks set to be fit for Saturday's top of the table clash with Atletico Madrid after training with the rest of the squad on Thursday.

The Brazilian had been forced to pull out of Wednesday's 4-0 win over Getafe in the Copa del Rey due to a bout of gastroenteritis.

Victory over Getafe was most notable for the goalscoring return of Lionel Messi as the Argentine struck twice in his 30 minute cameo appearance as a substitute after nearly two months out with a hamstring injury.

The return of Messi and Neymar leaves Barca boss Gerardo Martino with an interesting dilemma over who starts up front ahead of the crucial visit to the Vicente Calderon.

Pedro Rodriguez and Alexis Sanchez have been in fine scoring form in the wide areas, while Fabregas also scored twice from Messi's favourite false nine position against Getafe.

Real clear Di Maria over gesture

Real Madrid winger Angel di Maria has been cleared of any wrongdoing by the club over a gesture he made after being substituted during their 3-0 win over Celta Vigo this week, the Spanish club said on Thursday.

Di Maria appeared to grab his genitals after being whistled by the crowd at the Bernabeu as he was replaced by Gareth Bale with 25 minutes remaining in Monday's tie.

But Real Madrid said in a statement on Thursday that an investigation by the club failed to establish any "fault" by the player and he would not be punished.

Coach Carlo Ancelotti added that the affair was now "closed" following an apology made by the player.

The Argentine had denied there was any malice intended in the gesture. "I made a normal gesture as I was leaving the field," he told the club's website.

"I didn't mean it to be aimed at the fans nor the coach as people are saying. It was a normal gesture that any man would do, especially when you are running."

Real Madrid added: "In light of the investigation, it cannot be concluded that Di Maria is responsible for carrying out offensive and contemptuous gestures towards the public at the Santiago Bernabeu on January 6 and, therefore, he has committed any fault deserving disciplinary action."

Di Maria is expected to start on the bench Thursday night at the Santiago Bernabeu for the Copa del Rey last 16 tie against Osasuna.

Di Maria has seen his first team opportunities limited since the arrival of Bale from Tottenham Hotspur in September.

The 25-year-old has been linked with a move away from Madrid in the January transfer window with free-spending Ligue 1 side Monaco reportedly interested.

Benzema, Jese give Real advantage

Goals from Karim Benzema and Jese led Real Madrid to a 2-0 win over Osasuna in their King's Cup last-16 first leg at the Bernabeu on Thursday.

Benzema nodded the hosts ahead in the 19th minute from a Luka Modric free kick and Cristiano Ronaldo set up Jese, who later went off injured, to score on the hour to put last year's runners-up in a strong position ahead of next week's return in Pamplona.

"It was the result we wanted but we can't relax when we go to Pamplona as they always make things tough for us there," Real defender Alvaro Arbeloa told Canal Plus television.

"You are always wondering whether to take more risks and leave space at the back. But you have to have control and you can't risk too much because if they score it makes the tie more complicated."

If Real successfully negotiate the second leg, Carlo Ancelotti's side would meet Espanyol or Alcorcon in the quarterfinals.

Second division Alcorcon, who stunned Real by knocking them out at the last 32 stage in 2009 when they were playing in the Spanish third tier, beat Espanyol 1-0 at their tiny stadium in the Madrid suburbs on Wednesday.

Valencia forward Helder Postiga headed an equaliser in the final minute of added time to snatch a 1-1 draw at home to holders Atletico Madrid on Tuesday while Barcelona cruised to a 4-0 win at home to Getafe on Wednesday.

World Player of the Year Lionel Messi came off the bench to score twice and Cesc Fabregas also grabbed a double as Barca virtually assured themselves a place in the last eight and a meeting with Rayo Vallecano or Levante.

Rayo drew 0-0 at home to Valencia-based Levante on Thursday while Real Sociedad were held to a 0-0 stalemate at their Anoeta stadium in San Sebastian by Villarreal.

Keshi and Nigeria pray for sweep

Nigeria head coach, Stephen Keshi, is hoping that his country will have a good outing at the 2013 Glo-Caf awards billed to hold in Lagos on Thursday.

Keshi is a shortlist for Coach of the Year award alongside his country's Under-17 trainer, Manu Garba and Paul Put, who guided Burkina Faso to the final of the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations.

But the Nigerian manager is hoping it will not just be a night of playing host to Africa's biggest football award.

"It's good we have found ourselves being nominated in a number of categories for the Glo-Caf awards which usually wasn't the case in the past years. I'm happy with what we have achieved in the past 18 months to two years and this is a manifest of those good work.

"But we are hoping we can go out there and win a number of those awards we've been nominated for. You don't get nominated for awards such as this every year but I'm happy to be among the nominees and I'm happy that Nigeria's name is once again on the world map of football thanks to the intelligence and hard work of everyone," said Keshi to supersport.com.

Nigeria's under-17s and the country's supporters club are already guaranteed to win the Youth National Team of the Year and Fair Play awards respectively as they are the only nominees in the two categories.

The West African nation also have nominees in contention in four categories including the prestigious African Footballer of the Year in which John Obi Mikel will vie for alongside Ivorian duo of Yaya Toure and Didier Drogba.

The Categories

African Footballer of the Year

Yaya Toure

Didier Drogba

John Obi Mikel

African Footballer of the Year (based in Africa)

Ahmed Fathy

Mohamed Abou Trika

Sunday Mba

National Team of the Year

Burkina Faso

Ethiopia

Nigeria

Youth National team of the Year

Nigeria Under-17

Club of the Year

Al Ahly

CS Sfaxien

Orlando Pirates

Fair Play Award

Nigerian Supporters

Coach of the Year

Manu Garba

Stephen Keshi

Paul Put

Most Promising Talent

Ebenezer Assifuah

Saleh Gomaa

Kelechi Iheanacho

Referee Award

Alioum Neant

Haimoudi Djamel

Papa Bakary Gassama

Legend Award

Bruno Metsu

Mehdi Faria

Mourinho suggested Boro for Omeruo

Nigerian defender, Kenneth Omeruo is settling in to life at Teesside after completing a loan switch to Championship side, Middleborough.

Omeruo, who joined the Smoggies from English Premier League club, Chelsea, completed his first training session for Boro on Wednesday and spoke to the club’s official television station afterwards on his impressions about life at the Riverside Stadium.

The 20-year-old revealed amongst others, that he was advised to positively embrace his latest expedition by the Chelsea manager, Jose Mourinho.

“Jose (Mourinho) is my boss and it will be good for me to come here and he gets to watch me. I have also met the (Boro) trainer, (Aitor Karanka). He’s a really nice guy and a good person to work with.

“Mourinho has a very good relationship with Karanka and he advised me to come here (to Boro). He said it was going to be a very good move for me,” Omeruo said.

Karanka watched Omeruo’s first training session on Wednesday and shared his thoughts afterwards with the club’s official website, mfc.co.uk.

“Kenneth is a strong defender and I think we need to improve in this area. I know him. Jose Mourinho has told me about him and I think he’s going to be very good for us to add to the squad,” Karanka said.

Omeruo’s loan deal with Boro runs till the end of the 2013/14 season.

Falcons win without playing

Nigeria’s Super Falcons have progressed to the second round of the 2014 African Women's Championship (AWC) in Namibia following the withdrawal of their first round opponents, the Leone Queens of Sierra Leone.

Both West African foes were to clash in the first leg fixture on Friday, February 14 at the Abuja National Stadium while the reverse fixture was billed for a fortnight in Freetown, Sierra Leone.

Prior to Thursday’s withdrawal, Falcons head coach, Edwin Okon had named 30-man squad who were expected to hit camp on January 11 to commence preparations for the encounter.

The six-time African champions will wait for the winners of the encounter between Kenya and Rwanda to know their second round opponents.

The encounter will be a two-legged encounter coming up in May. The 2014 African Women's Championship in Namibia will serve as qualifier for the 2015 Fifa World Cup in Canada. Finalists at the Namibia 2014 AWC will win qualification tickets to represent Africa at the World Cup.

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) head of technical, Dr Emmanuel Ikpeme who confirmed the Leone Queens' withdrawal from the AWC qualifying match against the Super Falcons said the Sierra Leone Football Association (SLAFA) did not offer any reason for the withdrawal of their team from the biennial football showpiece.

“Yes, that’s true, we just got a letter from the Sierra Leone Football Association (SLAFA) informing us of the withdrawal of their side due to engage the Super Falcons in the AWC qualifying match on February 14 at the Abuja National Stadium.

“The SLAFA letter didn’t state reason for the decision so Super Falcons will have to wait for the winners of the Kenya versus Rwanda game to know their next opponents.

“We’ve communicated with the coaches of the latest development, they’ll in turn inform the players so that they won’t need to assemble in camp as previously stated on January 11.

“We’ll sit down and map out strategies for the remainder of the qualifying matches and ensure that the Falcons don’t only qualify for Namibia 2014 AWC but win one of the tickets for the World Cup in Canada next year,” Ikpeme said to supersport.com.

The Falcons finished a distant fourth position in the immediate past African Women's Championship in Equatorial Guinea.

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Newly-crowned African Footballer of the Year for 2013, Yaya Toure has taken the time to praise the man he pipped to the accolade, John Obi Mikel.

Toure said Mikel “deserves the award” as he described winning Africa’s individual top gong for the third consecutive year as “unbelievable.”

“This is unbelievable. I am happy to be the winner. I congratulate Mikel who deserves it too. To be the winner was unbelievable. I thank all who supported me. I am very, very proud,” he said shortly after he was announced as the winner of the award.

Nigerian midfielder, Mikel, finished as runner-up while Ivorian striker, Didier Drogba was third in the final classification.

The last Nigerian to win the award was Nwankwo Kanu, who scooped the prestigious prize in 1999.

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Ivory Coast midfielder Yaya Toure landed his third successive African Footballer of the Year award on Thursday to cap a memorable week.

The Manchester City player edged out Nigeria's John Obi Mikel and fellow Ivorian Didier Drogba to make it a hat-trick of wins, emulating Abedi Pele and Samuel Eto'o.

Just 24 hours after storming halfway down the pitch to score a goal in City's 6-0 demolition of West Ham United in the first leg of the League Cup semifinal, a teary-eyed Toure was the toast of African football as he picked up the award at a gala ceremony in Lagos.

"I'm very proud and happy to be the winner today," Toure, dressed in traditional Nigerian robes, told the audience.

"I congratulate my brother Obi Mikel who deserved it as well. It's an unbelievable award for all those who helped me through my career a lot and those who supported me for a long time."

The Ivorian came top of a poll voted by Africa's national team coaches, who had Mikel second and Drogba third.

Toure's success came at the end of a bleak 12-month period for individual achievement by African footballers. Toure's official citation praised him for his role in helping the Ivorians to qualify for the World Cup in Brazil but the choice is more likely for his consistency at club level in England and the dominant role he plays at Manchester City.

Chelsea's Mikel was on the shortlist after helping Nigeria to the African Nations Cup title in February.

Toure joins an elite club following his hat-trick of wins.

Ghanaian Abedi Pele won three in a row between 1991-93 while Cameroonian Eto'o took the award from 2003-05.

Eto'o, who plays up front for Chelsea, also won it in 2010.

Yaya Toure Factfile

Born: May 13, 1983 in Bouake, Ivory Coast

EARLY CAREER

- Toure is a product of the fabled ASEC Abidjan academy, which has produced more than 20 players who have gone onto to play for clubs in Europe.

- He followed in the footsteps of elder brother Kolo Toure.

- Aged 18, Toure moved to Beveren in Belgium, the club which became a colony of Ivorian players using it as a stepping stone to make inroads into European club football

NOMADIC TRAVELS

- Toure went on to play for five clubs in five different countries after leaving Beveren

- He played for Metalurg Donetsk in Ukraine and had an unsuccessful trial at Arsenal before a first high profile signing for Greek giants Olympiakos in 2005

- Monaco took him to Ligue 1 after one season in Athens, based on his performances at the 2006 World Cup in Germany

- Barcelona paid nine million euros for his services in 2007 but after a successful first season he lost his place in the starting line-up and spoke regularly of his desire to depart

- Manchester City paid a reported £24 million in July 2010 to take Toure to the English Premier League

- Hobbled off with injury as Man City dramatically beat QPR on the last day of the 2011-2012 season to win a first title in 44 years.

HONOURS

- Toure was played out of position at centre back when Barcelona won the Champions League final in 2009

- Scored the winner in the 2011 FA Cup final where Man City ended a 35 year await for a trophy with a 1-0 win over Stoke City

- League winner in Greece in 2006, Spain in 2009 and 2010 and England in 2012, plus has cup winners' medals from four different countries.

INTERNATIONAL CAREER

- Debuted for the Ivory Coast in a World Cup qualifier away in Egypt in 2004

- Played in the last two World Cups for the Ivorians and five successive African Nations Cup finals since 2006. Has twice reached the final but went home both times with silver.

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Twenty minutes were enough for Lionel Messi to give back hope to both Barcelona and Argentina, and both are already expecting the return of the star striker at his very best.

Messi came on in the 64th minute of Barca's King's Cup match against Getafe late Wednesday. Barcelona were already 2-0 up by then. It seemed to be ideal timing, and the barely 40 000 fans on the stands at the Camp Nou welcomed him with a loud ovation.

That was the start of Messi's latest dream night. The Argentine took some time to get back on track. He lost the ball a couple of times and wasted two free kicks to remind everyone that he was just returning from a 59-day hamstring injury break.

However, he then left plenty of room for the highest expectations. Messi scored his first goal a minute from time, after getting hold of the ball in a no man's land inside the box.

But the one he scored in injury time was even better: he started a long run with the ball and ended it with a brilliant shot that filled spectators with admiration.

First, in Barcelona. "Triumphant return," the daily Sport wrote, while Mundo Deportivo said "The number 1 is back."

The performance crossed the Atlantic, and Messi's native Argentina also celebrated the re-birth of the player they hope will lead the national team to the title to the World Cup title later this year.

The Argentine sports daily Ole changed it own name for a day to read "Leo". "On World Cup year, we Argentines can sleep at peace," Ole said.

The first thing that Messi achieved over those magical 20 minutes was to bring the talk back to football.

Over the past two months, a lot had been said and written about his alleged lack of attention to his own fitness, his alleged move away from those who had previously helped him keep fit at Barcelona in recent years, his decision to do recovery work in Argentina, his tax problems, his public clash with a Barca official, etc.

Now both Messi and Barcelona are focusing again on his skills as a footballer, and coach Gerardo Martino's ability to predict the future has been highlighted.

"I see Messi with a killer glance," he said of the star earlier this week.

But Wednesday was only a first step, 20 minutes, and Messi needs to work to get back into a competitive rhythm of play. Getafe were a good team for him to regain self-confidence, since they are a minor player in La Liga and actually fielded reserve players at the Camp Nou.

Barcelona's next challenge is no less than a Liga table-topper with Atletico Madrid, named "one of the best teams in the world" by Barca defender Carles Puyol and tied on points with the champions.

The main question is whether Messi will be in the starting line-up. The decision is Martino's to make, but whatever he does it will generate debate. Should he look after a player who is just out of muscular injury, or should he ride the wave of enthusiasm triggered by Messi's latest football show?

The question will remain open for days, as Messi himself warned. "'Tata' (Martino), the medical team and I will talk to see what we decide for the next game," he said.

Ede helps Eagles to down Ethiopia

Super Eagles striker, Ifeanyi Ede has pointedly said his side hard earned win against the Walya Antelopes of Ethiopia is a mere tip of the iceberg on what to expect at the African Nations Championship (Chan) in South Africa.

The Enyimba goal king scored in the side 2-1 win against the East Africans in Saturday’s pre-Chan test match at the Abuja National Stadium. Enugu Rangers midfielder, Ugonna Uzochukwu scored the match winner while captain and goalkeeper, Chigozie Agbim gifted the Ethiopians the consolation goal.

Ede said what his side fervently need to augment their hard work is divine favour to excel at the continent biennial football showpiece.

“All we need right now to excel at the championship in South Africa is God’s favour. We’ve demonstrated our resolve to excel by working very hard in the pre-Chan programmes, I believe with God’s favour we’ll have it smoothly at the Chan event.

“I feel great to score one of the goals though I missed one or two chances but I’m excited we won the encounter eventually.

“I’m a striker, my job is to score goals or assist in scoring goals but it’s always very sweat to score and your side went ahead to win.

“At times you play badly still went ahead to win or play very well and lose but we played well and won incidentally our first international test match.

“It’s a great test match as the Ethiopians came all out to record first win on Nigerian soil against a Nigerian side, they’re not push-over.

“Today’s (Saturday) win against the Ethiopians is just a tip of the iceberg on what to expect from us at the Chan competition.

“Once we’ve God’s favour on our side victory will be assured and our efforts will be crowned with success,” said the former Enugu Rangers goal poacher to supersport.com.

Eagles that will make their debut at the African Nations Championship are in Group A together with hosts, South Africa, Mali and Mozambique while Ethiopia are in Group C with Ghana, Congo and Libya.

Ideye ready for new celebration

Dynamo Kyiv attacker, Brown Ideye says he’s perfected a new act which he’ll unveil the next time he scores a goal in a competitive game.

The 25-year-old hinted supersport.com in December 2013 that he could potentially leave the Ukrainian club in January.

If he does not leave during the January transfer window however, he will likely line-up for the 26-time Ukrainian champions against Romanian club, Steaua Bucuresti in a friendly game on January 27.

Oleg Blokhin’s side won’t play competitively until February 20 when they face Valencia in a first leg, round of 32 fixture in the Uefa Europa League at the Olimpiyskyi.

Ideye has promised to do something dramatic if he plays and scores in that game.

“I have not told anyone this previously. From this moment, I will perform a dance move, anytime I score in a competitive game,” Ideye exclusively told supersport.com.

This will come as a surprise to many but Ideye insists he has a lot of surprises up his locker in the new year.

“Those who really know me will tell you I am not a big fan of night clubs, parties or raucous celebrations.

“I am more of a laid back guy and even my wife who knows I can dance and has never seen me do it before.

“The fans should watch out for my dance steps whenever I score because that will now be a trademark of my celebrations from this moment,” he said.

Ideye has scored five times in 23 appearances for Nigeria.

Big game planned for Eagles

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) is working to seal a tune-up game for the Super Eagles during the Fifa international window in March, supersport.com can report.

The NFF is considering options of engaging a South American or European nation in March, according to a federation official.

"You know Nigeria has been drawn in the same group as Argentina, Bosnia and Iran. So the NFF is looking at organising or agreeing to play a South American nation with similar style to Argentina. But the country is not known yet as it could be Peru, Uruguay or even Chile.

"At the same time there are contacts with a European country or two, who want to play Nigeria as we are currently the African champions. But nothing is sealed yet. A lot of people believe Bosnia will be a walkover but we don't see them as such and the coaching crew also share same view as ours. But in a matter of days the picture will be clearer on which country the Super Eagles will engage in the friendly game which could likely be on March 5," the NFF official said to supersport.com.

However, there are strong indications that the NFF fancies the Super Eagles going up against a South American country after picking Mexico as the team's pre-World Cup camp site.

The NFF is said to be also exploring the option of more friendly matches when the Stephen Keshi and his team begin camping in May ahead of the 2014 Fifa World Cup in June.

The African champions, Nigeria, will face Argentina, Iran and Bosnia-Herzegovina in the group stage of the World Cup in Brazil.

Keshi opens up

Stephen Keshi is a legend of Nigerian football.

He began his professional football education at ACB, Lagos in 1979 before moving on to play for clubs like New Nigeria Bank (NNB), Stade d’Abidjan, Lokeren, Anderlecht, RC Strasbourg, Molenbeek, CCV Hydra, Sacramento Scorpions and Perlis FA.

He scored nine goals in 64 appearances for the Nigeria national team and famously captained the Super Eagles to the 1994 Africa Cup of Nations title in Tunisia.

His leadership qualities seemed innate as he became the first man to captain Nigeria to successfully navigate the treacherous waters of World Cup qualifying as the Super Eagles finally made their debut at a Fifa World Cup in 1994.

Keshi’s charisma, personality and deep knowledge of the game meant it was no real surprise when he ventured into coaching.

He was an assistant to Johannes Bonfrere and Amodu Shuaibu in the Nigeria set up before he independently managed a national team - Togo - for the first time in 2004.

The 51-year-old showed he was meant to achieve great things when he guided the unheralded Hawks to a place at the 2006 Fifa World Cup finals in Germany.

Keshi went on to manage Mali before replacing Samson Siasia as Nigeria head coach in 2011.

He wrote his name in the history books as the first and only man to captain and coach a Nigerian team to Africa Cup of Nations success after he achieved the feat with a largely inexperienced squad in South Africa in 2013.

The “Big Boss” added to his growing list of accolades when he successfully guided the Super Eagles to a place at the 2014 Fifa World Cup finals in Brazil.

Keshi is indeed the darling of Nigerians around the world but how much do you really know about the man?

“Big Boss” sat down with supersport.com to discuss some of the more unconventional issues about his professional and private life.

Who is you sporting hero?

I actually had three; Christian Chukwu, Bobby Moore and (Franz) Beckenbauer. They were all great players and I learnt a lot by just watching them play.

I patterned my game after these three players because we all played in the same position on the pitch.

What’s the best advice you’ve ever been given?

That was the advice I got from my dad. He told me to always ask questions and never believe I know it all.

Can you cook? Best dish?

I am the worst cook you can find. The reason for this is simple.

I had great elder sisters who were wonderful cooks so it was almost unnecessary to go to the kitchen to do any kind of cooking.

I do not have a favourite dish. Any well-prepared meal is okay by me.

What would you have done if you were not involved in football?

I would have gone into sales because I love interacting with people. I also love helping people.

If your house was burning down, what one possession would you save?

I would first save my family. Once that is done, I will be a satisfied man because every other thing is secondary.

Who are your three favourite musicians?

Ebenezer Obey, King Sunny Ade and Bob Marley are my all time favourites. I also like Fela Anikulapo Kuti.

Choose one woman you will love to go out on a date with.

(Thinks long and hard). There are so many beautiful Nigerian women out there.....it’s difficult to choose…

Best football memory

Winning the Afcon title in 1994 was special because it was the first time we would achieve the feat outside Nigeria.
Helping Nigeria qualify for the World Cup for the very first time in 1994 was also pretty special.
And your worst memory in football?
I had some bad memories in the game but it’s hard to find one stand out memory.
What annoys you the most?
Acting like a dictator and taking people for granted makes me feel bad. I also don’t like it when I see people being cheated.
And what puts a smile on your face?
I feel fulfilled when I see people smile. It makes my day?
Tell us about your favourite holiday destination?
That will be Hawaii. Sukuru Island. It’s one of the best places I have ever been to in my life.

The fun never stops at Sukuri Islands. The people there are crazy and you can find whatever you want there. The weather there is also fantastic.

We have no stars - Micho

Uganda Cranes tactician Milutin ‘Micho’ Sredojevic has said his philosophy during the 2014 Africa Nations Championships (Chan) will be more of team work than relying on a few individuals.

“We do not have stars in this team and because of that we shall not rely on individual players, but play more as a team. We need to be disciplined as a team because it will be our strong point,” Micho told Supersport.com on Tuesday afternoon.

The Coach however emphasized that his philosophy will rotate around having an iron defense, creative midfield and sharp attack.

“I realise that we scored only one goal during the 2011 CHAN event in Sudan, and my strikers are aware they must be clinical to improve on this statistic,” added the Coach.

The Cranes are grouped alongside Burkina Faso, Zimbabwe and Morocco and will be based in Cape Town. The Coach said although he has many young players in the team with some ready to make their first appearance in a high profile tournament, he is confident they will perform because they are so talented and also listen to detail.

During the last Chan event in Khartoum, Sudan, the Cranes lost 2-0, 1-0 and 2-1 to Algeria, Sudan and Gabon respectively. Scotsman Robert ‘Bobby’ Williamson now at Kenyan side Gor Mahia FC handled the team during the event.

Free trains for Chan ticket holders

Eleven trains will be set aside to transport soccer fans to the opening matches of the African Nations Champions (Chan) in Cape Town, Passenger Rail Agency of SA (Prasa) said on Monday.

"With the start of the... Chan 2014 South Africa set to kick off at Cape Town Stadium on Saturday, January 11, Prasa, through its operator Metrorail, is ready to take fans to the games," the rail operator said in a statement.

Saturday sees the group A fixtures of South Africa versus Mozambique and Nigeria versus Mali, with Prasa expecting a large number of fans to use trains.

Each of the 11 trains set aside for Saturday had a capacity of around 1200 people, and would deliver fans in time for the 6pm kick-off.

"As a gesture of support to the fans, Prasa head office through Metrorail will offer a free return train ride to all valid match-day ticket holders only," Prasa said.

"Ticket holders are then urged to hold onto their ticket for the return leg of the trip or face a R40 fare."

Both security and operational plans would continue as normal to ensure that both daily travellers and soccer fans travelled safely and securely.

Prasa CEO Mosenngwa Mofi said: "Our main aim is to demonstrate, through our Metrorail operations, the importance of rail as the backbone for public transport through its ability to carry much larger numbers of commuters.

"In addition, we want to demonstrate that rail is not only a week-day mode of transportation but a vital part of our leisure travel."

This was why Prasa was working hard to improve its service through various technical and station improvement programmes.

Prasa, apart from providing extra trains, would also provide bus transport through its Autopax bus subsidiary for games where Metrorail trains would not be running.

Moro explains Chan exclusion

There has been a great hurrah made about Ghana's exclusion of Moro Abubakar, but the player has explained why.

The final African Nations' Championships (CHAN) squad was named last week, prompting raised eyebrows about why the talented midfielder was left out.

"Everything was okay until the results of the medical examination came out. According to the doctor of the team, I'm nursing an injury that must not be aggravated," the Hearts of Oak captain told Price FM.

He went on: I wasn't sent home because of my performance or on any moral related issues which is a fact but it was because of an injury I'm nursing which according to the doctor, needs immediate attention."

Abubakar stated, contrary to many reports in the public domain, that Ghana coach Maxwell Konadu was not enthused when he heard the news.

“Maxwell Konadu was very sad upon hearing the news because he told me he had huge plans for me in the tournament. It was heart-breaking news to me but what made me so sad was when I saw Fred Pappoe in tears when he heard my predicament. As the captain of a big club like Hearts of Oak, they all know the quality I was bringing on board because such leadership roles are not just inherited but it comes from hard work."

Ghana have Libya, Ethiopia and Congo in Group C to contend with, and would have needed the screening qualities of Abubakar.

"I have the medical reports of the said injury with me which I will forward to the Hearts of Oak management without wasting time because what they said frightened me. I'm the type who speaks the truth even at the point of death therefore I will not apportion blame but wait for crosschecking from the doctors of Hearts of Oak. If they pass me fit, I will continue with my training and train very hard for the future because I know the future is very bright."

The tournament starts on Saturday in South Africa.

Uzochukwu sure of Chan title

Super Eagles midfielder, Ugonna Uzochukwu has assured his side will deliver the African Nations Championship (Chan) title to Nigerians on February 1.

The 23-man squad with the crew except the manager, Stephen Keshi departed the nation's shore on Tuesday night to Johannesburg, South Africa for the football showpiece that kicks off on Saturday, January 11.

The Eagles are in Group A with the hosts, South Africa, Mali and Mozambique. The Nigerians will kick start their Chan title campaign against West African foes, Mali in Cape Town on Saturday.

Uzochukwu, who sounded confident as the team departed on Tuesday night at the Murtala Mohammed Airport, Lagos, said his side though debutants at the biennial football fiesta will not comeback without the Chan trophy.

"We won't leave South Africa without the Chan title. I want Nigerians to take the assurance home and be rest assured we'll deliver the trophy on February 1.

"We've prepared adequately for the championship and I'm confident the players carefully selected by the coaches will certainly deliver the goods at the appropriate time.

"Right now we just need the prayers and support of Nigerians to excel believing that other factors will work in our favour," said the Enugu Rangers defensive midfielder to supersport.com.

Uzochukwu scored in the 2-1 defeat of the Walya Antelopes of Ethiopia in the Super Eagles' last test match in Abuja before Tuesday night's departure to South Africa for the Chan title campaign.

Tunisia are the title holders of the championship last held in Sudan in 2011.

Traore joins Monaco from Anzhi

Ivory Coast striker Lacina Traore has joined Monaco on a 4-1/2 year deal from Russian club Anzhi Makhachkala, the big-spending Ligue 1 club said on its website (www.asm-fc.com) on Saturday.

The 23-year-old, who is 6ft 8in tall, scored 12 goals in 24 games last season after joining Anzhi from Kuban Krasnodar in June 2012.

The financial details of the transfer were not disclosed.

Traore is the latest player to leave the struggling Russian club after billionaire owner Suleiman Kerimov cut spending amid frustration with their lack of success since his 2011 takeover.

Anzhi are bottom of Russia's top flight having sold Brazil playmaker Willian and Cameroon striker Samuel Eto'o to Chelsea and Russia midfielder Oleg Shatov to Zenit St Petersburg.

Monaco, owned by Russian billionaire Dmitry Rybolovlev, have spent heavily to build a team challenging for the Ligue 1 title and are three points behind leaders Paris St Germain.

Promoted Monaco signed big names like striker Radamel Falcao from Atletico Madrid plus his Colombia teammate James Rodriguez and Portugal's Joao Moutinho from Porto before the season began.

Traore, who has scored four goals in seven internationals, was in the Ivory Coast squad that lost in last year's African Nations Cup quarterfinals to eventual winners Nigeria.

Transfer window live blog

Will Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger get his 'special' striker and who will it be? Will David Moyes break the bank for a big signing?

Supersport.com will guide you through all the latest news and rumours from the January transfer window.

We will combine comments and your tweets in this blog throughout the transfer window period.

Follow the updates right here, use #SSFootball and #SSTransfers to leave your comments on Twitter. We'll pull the best of them into our coverage below.

Algerian international defender Carl Medjani on Friday joined Valenciennes on loan from Monaco until the end of the season.

The 28-year-old will actually move from Greeks Olympiakos, where he had been on loan since the beginning of the season.

His move, announced by Valenciennes, follows the French Ligue 1 club's acquisition on Thursday of Ghana forward Abdul Majeed Waris, also on loan until the end of the season, from Russians Spartak Moscow.

Meanwhile Jordan Ayew, the younger brother of Marseille star Andre Ayew, has completed his loan switch to Sochaux until the end of the season.

The 22-year-old, son of Marseille great Abedi Pele, has played little for the 1993 European Cup winners this season.

CONFIRMED DEALS

• Mphela signs Chiefs deal
• Roma sign Nainggolan
• Inkoom moves to Greece
• Sunzu, Sinkala rejoin Renard
• Omeruo joins Middlesbrough
• Mutumba joins Turkish club
• West Ham sign Johnson on loan
• SuperSport withdraw Majoro offer
• Bayern seal Lewandowski deal
• Chiefs confirm Maluleka deal
• Traore joins Monaco from Anzhi
• Mputu leaves TP Mazembe
• Raja land Amr Zaki

West Ham sign Johnson on loan

West Ham United have signed defender Roger Johnson on loan from Wolverhampton Wanderers for the rest of the season, the Premier League club said on their website on Monday.

West Ham have slipped to second bottom of the table after a poor run of results that has coincided with injuries to several of their most experienced defenders.

The 30-year-old Johnson won the League Cup with Birmingham City in 2011 and helped Cardiff City reach the FA Cup final in 2008.

He joined Wolves in 2011 for a reported fee of 7 million pounds ($11.5 million) and made 42 Championship (second-tier) appearances for them last season before moving to Sheffield Wednesday on loan.

Johnson could go straight into the West Ham squad for Wednesday's League Cup semifinal first leg at Manchester City.

Allardyce buoyed by club backing

West Ham United manager Sam Allardyce on Tuesday expressed his gratitude after receiving a public vote of confidence from co-chairmen David Sullivan and David Gold.

The east London club are currently second from bottom in the Premier League table and saw a second-string team thrashed 5-0 by second-tier Nottingham Forest in the FA Cup on Sunday.

However, with West Ham due to visit Manchester City on Wednesday for the first leg of their League Cup semifinal, Sullivan and Gold released an open letter to fans in which they confirmed their support for Allardyce.

"I'm obviously pleased by the united front we are trying to keep under these difficult times at the moment," Allardyce said during Tuesday's pre-game press conference.

"When it comes public from the co-chairmen it is nice to see and hear. From our point of view, we are all understanding the difficult position we are in at the moment.

"We all have to work through it together in the hope that we turn it around into a positive reaction in terms of our results."

Allardyce said that centre-back Roger Johnson, who has arrived on loan from Wolverhampton Wanderers, will go straight into the squad for the trip to City.

"If you look across the board at Man City, aerially we have to be very competent and Roger will be a great help in that area particularly," he said.

"He is very determined and excited about the opportunity he has got after being basically frozen out at Wolves."

Allardyce also revealed that striker Andy Carroll will soon be available, having been sidelined by a foot injury since completing his permanent £15 million ($24.6 million, 18 million euros) move from Liverpool in June.

"Andy is training today," Allardyce said. "Hopefully we'll see him on the bench in the next week or so

Palace fail with bid for Zaha

Crystal Palace have been rebuffed in an attempt to take former player Wilfried Zaha back to the club on loan from Manchester United, manager Tony Pulis revealed on Tuesday.

England international Zaha signed for United from Palace in a deal worth £15 million ($24.5 million, 18 million euros) a year ago before being loaned back to the London club.

He played a starring role as Palace were promoted to the Premier League via the Championship play-offs, but has barely featured since linking up with United in the close season, making only two substitute appearances in the league.

United manager David Moyes says that several clubs have enquired about signing Zaha on loan, but Pulis has revealed that his own approach for the 21-year-old winger proved unsuccessful.

"We've spoken to David Moyes about Zaha and I don't think he's too keen on him coming back to London," Pulis told talkSPORT radio.

"It's not a problem for us. He's a Manchester United player. We don't think it's a goer, although we were very keen if there was a possibility to take him on.

New Aluko deal bolsters Bruce

Nigeria striker Sone Aluko's decision to extend his contract at Hull has been welcomed by manager Steve Bruce as potentially the Premier club's most important deal during the January transfer window.

The 24-year-old's current deal was due to expire at the end of this season but he has now set to stay with the Tigers for at least another two-and-a-half years.

Aluko is currently sidelined with an Achilles injury but Bruce is in no doubt of his importance to a Hull side who are presently an impressive 10th in the Premier League following their promotion to the top flight last season.

"It could be the most important piece of business we do this month," Bruce told the Hull Daily Mail.

"If Sone gets fit over the next couple of weeks, he's a top player as we've seen time and again.

"He's a special player for us, I've said that all along, so let's hope we see him doing what he does best in the next month or so."

Aluko, out of action since mid-October, added: "I need to focus on getting back playing and getting back playing well.

"The manager and the owners have shown a level of faith in me and I have to repay that by playing well on the pitch. That has always been my priority.

"I'm trying not to set any deadlines and I'm just taking it day by day but so far it's gone according to plan and I think I'm maybe even ahead of schedule so hopefully I'll be back playing soon.

Navas out of City's Cup semi

Manchester City winger Jesus Navas will miss Wednesday's League Cup semifinal first leg at home to West Ham United with a knee injury, manager Manuel Pellegrini revealed on Tuesday.

The 28-year-old Spaniard played as a second-half substitute in his side's 1-1 draw at Blackburn Rovers in the FA Cup on Saturday, but although his injury is not serious, Pellegrini does not want to take any chances.

"He is not injured but he has a little problem," Pellegrini said. "It is not very important, it is just a precaution."

Pellegrini also revealed that top-scorer Sergio Aguero is in line to return to action later this month, having been out of action since damaging his calf in the 6-3 win over Arsenal on December 14.

"He is working, he is training," said the Chilean at Tuesday's pre-match media conference.

"It is very good news. All players recovering from injuries is good news, especially a player as important as Kun Aguero."

Centre-back Martin Demichelis is fit to return against West Ham after missing four games with a hamstring injury, but Micah Richards, Jack Rodwell and Stevan Jovetic remain unavailable.

Pellegrini also said he had yet to decide which goalkeeper to select out of Joe Hart and Costel Pantilimon.

England international Hart recently regained his place in the first team after losing it to Pantilimon, but returned to the side at Blackburn and was at fault for the home side's equaliser.

"Tomorrow we will see the 11 that start," Pellegrini said.

"I think he (Pantilimon) has responded well. I analysed the performance with the players and tomorrow we will see who will start.

Aguero close to Man City return

Striker Sergio Aguero is back in training and close to returning for Manchester City after being out since before Christmas with a calf injury, manager Manuel Pellegrini said on Tuesday.

"I think Sergio will be back during January - he's working, he is training," Pellegrini told a news conference ahead of Wednesday's league Cup semifinal, first leg against West Ham.

"Of course it's very good news. Any players that are recovering from their injuries is very good news, especially an important player like Kun Aguero."

Argentine Aguero, who was injured in the 6-3 victory over Arsenal, is one of several City players ruled out of the West Ham clash with Stevan Jovetic and Jack Rodwell also missing while Jesus Navas has "a little problem" with his knee.

"Jovetic, Aguero and Rodwell are injured and cannot play tomorrow," Pellegrini said.

"Jesus Navas has a little problem with his knee. It's not very important, but we are just being cautious."

Aguero has scored 13 Premier League goals this season, although his absence has not proved a problem for a rampant City who have won five out of six in all competitions since then.

After an erratic start to the season, especially away from home, City have hit their stride and the League Cup could offer Pellegrini an early opportunity to put his first silvwerare in the club's trophy cabinet.

They are also second in the Premier League, have a home replay against Blackburn Rovers in the FA Cup and are in the last 16 of the Champions League.

"We are not thinking about the four trophies, we are just thinking about winning the next game we have to play," Chilean Pellegrini said.

"Tomorrow is one of the two games of the semifinal of Capital One, it is very important we play here at home and I suppose we are going to have to have a very good performance to try to win against West Ham.

"I think it's very important to play the first leg here at home, so tomorrow we will try to win and if we can score more than one goal it will be very important for the second leg.

We are playing against officials - Moyes

Manchester United have to play the officials as well as the opposition, manager David Moyes complained after his side were beaten 2-1 by Sunderland in the League Cup semifinal first leg on Tuesday.

Moyes, under pressure after losing his third consecutive game in all competitions, pointed the finger at referee Andre Marriner, who he criticised for awarding a free kick that led to Sunderland's opening goal.

The referee also had a decisive hand in Sunderland's winner, pointing to the penalty spot in the second half after Adam Johnson had been felled by Tom Cleverley, allowing Fabio Borini to smash the spot kick into the roof of the net.

"It is difficult we just need to keep going," Moyes told Sky Sports. "We didn't do a lot wrong. I thought the referee was going to blow in our direction for (the free kick that led to) the first goal. I couldn't believe he gave (Sunderland) a free kick. It was a terrible decision.

"We are all just laughing at them (the officials) at the minute.

"It looks as though we are having to play them (officials) as well as the opposition at the moment.

United, who were knocked out of the FA Cup by Swansea City on Sunday and beaten by Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League on New Years' Day, have endured a miserable start to the campaign under Moyes.

With the club seventh in the Premier League and 11 points behind leaders Arsenal, the League Cup had taken on added significance as Moyes's most likely route to silverware.

He remains confident of getting a result in the second leg on January 22, to tee up a likely final against local rivals Manchester City who play West Ham United in the other semifinal.

"I thought the players, our crowd were unbelievable, the players deserved to get a result," he added. "It's a two legged game and I am really looking forward to the second leg.

United suffer third straight loss

Sunderland gained the upper hand on Manchester United by deservedly winning their League Cup semifinal, first leg 2-1 on Tuesday to intensify the pressure on visiting manager David Moyes after a testing week.

Italian Fabio Borini scored a second-half penalty to give the Premier League's bottom club a one-goal lead ahead of the return at Old Trafford after a 52nd minute Nemanja Vidic header cancelled out Ryan Giggs's own goal in first-half stoppage time.

It was United's third straight defeat after they were beaten at home in the FA Cup third round by Swansea City on Sunday and by Tottenham Hotspur in the league the previous week, heaping pressure on Moyes in his first season in charge.

The second leg will be on January 22 to decide who will face either favourites Manchester City or West Ham United, who play at the Etihad Stadium on Wednesday, in the final on March 2.

For beleaguered United manager Moyes, the League Cup has developed added significance with the club already out of the FA Cup, looking unlikely to retain their Premier League title and long odds to win the Champions League.

For the fans who booed them off the pitch following the loss to Swansea, there was little to perk up the spirits.

This was the first time since 1932 that United had lost their opening three games of the year and the first time since 1992 that they had lost three times in a week.

OFFICIALS BLAMED

Moyes blamed the officials, who he criticised for awarding Sunderland the free kick that led to the first goal, rather than his players who he described as being "unbelievable".

"It looks as though we are having to play them (the officials) as well as the opposition at the moment," he said.

"I thought the players, our crowd were unbelievable, the players deserved to get a result. It's a two-legged game and I am really looking forward to the second leg."

Sunderland have only reached the League Cup final once, in 1985 when they lost to Norwich City, and their fans do not need reminding they were relegated from the top flight that season.

The knockout competitions have again provided Sunderland with their only moments of relief in a miserable campaign, having won all five home ties in the League and FA Cups.

There were rows of empty seats at the Stadium of Light but those who ventured into the cold saw them make a bright start.

They kept possession well in the opening minutes, subduing a United side for whom exciting Belgian teenager Adnan Januzaj provided a lone attacking threat.

SUNDERLAND BREAKTHROUGH

After Giggs rattled the bar with a dipping drive, the 18-year-old Januzaj had the ball in the net seven minutes before halftime only to be denied the opening goal by the offside flag.

In the end it was Sunderland who made the breakthrough in first-half injury time. Jonny Evans gave away a needless free kick and Seb Larsson's whipped set piece was diverted in by Giggs under pressure from former United player Phil Bardsley.

It was the first goal United had conceded in the competition all season.

The gloom among the travelling fans was briefly lifted seven minutes into the second half when Serb defender Vidic, returning to the side, drew them level with a towering far post header.

Yet it was Sunderland who displayed a resilience lacking for much of their league campaign, retaking the lead through on-loan Liverpool forward Borini from the penalty spot after Adam Johnson had been felled in the area by Tom Cleverley.

There was no backs-to-the-wall finale and it was Sunderland, who had not beaten United in 20 matches, who looked the more likely to increase their lead, with United leaving it late before throwing bodies forward to try and force a leveller.

"It's something very strange but with the way we are playing maybe it is suited to playing against the big teams. It was a very tight game, and sometimes a decision goes for you and you win the game," Sunderland manager Gus Poyet said.

"We know it's not easy to beat Manchester United but now we go to Old Trafford with a lead. It has been a long time since we were in a final so we will try our best.